Two Men Sentenced to Eight Years for Armed Robbery in Las Tunas

In Las Tunas, two men have each been sentenced to eight years in prison following a violent robbery. According to the court's account, the pair threatened the owner of a horse-drawn vehicle with a knife and a machete to seize the transport.

The case was reported on Wednesday by Periódico 26, a local news outlet, drawing from information released by the First Criminal Chamber of the Las Tunas Provincial People's Court.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours, while the victim was traveling on a public road with his horse-drawn vehicle. The attackers allegedly asked the victim for a ride to the community of La Caldosa, located within the municipality of Las Tunas. During the journey, they threatened him with weapons and took control of the vehicle.

Fearing for his life, the victim jumped from the vehicle, allowing the two men to continue on and escape with it, as detailed by the source.

The proceedings were part of case 73 of 2026, concerning the crime of robbery with violence or intimidation.

During a public hearing, the court verbally announced the verdict, sentencing each of the accused to eight years in prison. Additionally, the court set a civil liability of 40,000 Cuban pesos for the damages inflicted upon the victim.

As additional penalties, the court stripped the convicts of public rights per Article 42.1 of the Cuban Penal Code (Law 151 of 2022) and barred them from obtaining a passport or leaving the country while serving their sentence, in accordance with Article 59 of the same law.

Both the defendants and the victim reportedly accepted the penalties handed down.

The Public's Reaction and Criticism

The court emphasized that the trial proceedings adhered to the procedural guarantees and due process as outlined in the Cuban Constitution. The official report described the trial as "exemplary," a term frequently used by Cuban judicial bodies when discussing such criminal cases.

However, this "exemplary" classification sparked criticism among the public, who felt the eight-year sentence was too lenient. Many comments suggested sentences of 15 to 20 years, questioning the deterrent effect of the imposed punishment for violent crimes.

Concerns were also raised about the possibility of the convicts serving less time due to potential penitentiary benefits. Some remarked that the victim could have lost his life during the robbery, arguing this risk warranted a harsher sentence. Reactions such as "too lenient," "at least 15 years," and "should have been 20 years" echoed throughout the community.

Critiques extended to the usage of the term "exemplary," with several online commentators arguing that an eight-year sentence doesn't align with such a description. Calls were made for legal reforms or stricter application of the Penal Code against crimes involving weapons.

Comparisons arose with sentences for other offenses in Cuba, including those linked to protests and political dissent, with some advocating for a tougher stance against what is perceived as rising crime.

Comparative Sentences for Violent Robberies

Violent robbery convictions have been the focus of several recent judicial proceedings in Cuba. In May, the Provincial People's Court of Matanzas sentenced two men to 15 years and another to 10 years for a violent home robbery in Máximo Gómez, Perico.

In Mayabeque, a man received a 10-year sentence for robbery with violence and intimidation after breaking into a home in Güines and threatening a father and son with a machete.

Throughout 2026, Cuban authorities have pursued multiple cases deemed "exemplary" for crimes seen as socially impactful, as part of official campaigns against criminal activity.